Chapter 331: Discovery

Striding briskly into the grand hall, Lai Fu's sharp eyes took in the scene. Kneeling beside the Emperor’s legs like a pampered kitten, Tong Yi exuded a beguiling innocence, her wide eyes attentively fixed on the Emperor and Concubine Hui as they spoke. The submissive allure in her every gesture was spellbinding, an artful balance of naivety and calculated charm that made her utterly irresistible.

The Emperor, clearly captivated, stroked her head with indulgent fondness and casually declared, “I’ll have lunch here today.”

Tong Yi tilted her delicate face upward, her gaze open yet teasingly provocative, as she asked, “Here?”

The air shifted. Everyone present caught the double entendre in her words. Concubine Hui, who was clearly not keen on Tong Yi monopolizing the Emperor's attention, instinctively opened her mouth to object. However, her son’s subtle tap on her back served as a silent warning. Annoyed but mindful of the precarious political undercurrents, she swallowed her discontent.

The Emperor, on the verge of granting Tong Yi’s request with a pleased smile, was interrupted by the soft, deliberate voice of his chief steward. “The Second Prince is unlikely to tolerate prolonged company in this palace. I’ll see to it that the meal is delivered here instead.”

For a fleeting moment, the Emperor’s brow creased in confusion before realization dawned. Yan Xi—ever watchful, ever unyielding—wouldn’t take kindly to someone effectively under house arrest openly flaunting their freedom within his domain. The reminder brought a pang of guilt, an unwelcome prick of conscience that the Emperor quickly smothered. Securing leverage over Yan Xi had been no simple feat; obtaining incriminating evidence had cost both effort and sacrifice. And yet, here he was, allowing sentiment to cloud judgment.

His brief moment of self-reproach froze into something colder, more calculating. With a practiced hand, he tousled Tong Yi’s hair again, his voice measured. “It’ll be here. Make it so.”

“Understood,” came the efficient reply.

Tong Yi, unfazed, merely smiled, her acquiescence disarming in its quiet simplicity. She leaned back against the Emperor, resting her cheek against his thigh as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Her slender fingers toyed with his, an idle, intimate gesture that was both innocent and maddeningly suggestive.

Across the hall, Gu Cheng’an’s gaze faltered. He hadn’t meant to watch her, yet somehow, he couldn’t quite look away.

*

The side hall was very quiet, with the window half open. Gu Yanxi listened for any movement, but there were only two palace servants present.

From Lai Fu's description, it seemed that Tong Yi was highly favored at the moment. The treatment she received was not comparable to the Concubine Hui, who had been the primary consort for many years, so it shouldn't be so deserted.

Hidden in the shadows, watching a palace maid carrying a basin out, Gu Yanxi surveyed the surroundings, then stealthily entered the bedchamber.

From here, it was evident that Tong Yi was favored, as precious items were casually scattered around, and a few large pink pearls were even scattered on the bed, some rolling to the bedside. The owner of the bedchamber didn't seem to care much about these things.

Gu Yanxi’s sharp gaze roved over the room, taking in every detail. He approached the incense burner, his fingers deft as he lifted its lid. The faint fragrance that wafted out was nothing extraordinary—a common scent that floated through countless palace chambers. Still, he carefully scraped a pinch of ash into a hidden pouch before shaking the burner to restore its undisturbed appearance. No one would know it had been touched.

Methodically, he combed through every crevice, every dark corner, every potential hiding place, but the room yielded no secrets. Frustration simmered beneath his composed exterior, his brow furrowing as doubt crept in.

Had his instincts betrayed him?

Was Tong Yi truly no more than a pawn in the Tong family’s game, planted to keep Concubine Hui tethered to imperial favor?

Or was there something more sinister lurking beneath the surface of her innocent façade?

Footsteps approached from the outside, followed by a light exclamation, "Oh my goodness, Xiao Xiang, why are you asleep? Wake up quickly."

The palace maid had only been drugged, and waking up quickly from the shaking, she yawned and sleepily said, "Was I asleep? So tired."

"If the Lady sees you like this, you're in trouble." The first palace maid subconsciously glanced outside the hall door, relieved that the Mistress had not returned yet. She helped the other maid up, saying, "Quickly wash your face and wake up."

The two maids left together, creating a perfect opportunity to sneak away. Gu Yanxi glanced back one last time, and as the sunlight shone through the window lattice, he squinted his eyes subconsciously. But the next moment, he widened his eyes and looked over.

Ignoring the risk of being seen by the two palace maids, he closed the top two semi-leaf-shaped decorations on the window and then carefully inspected the window lattice. A flash of insight crossed his mind, and he closed the open half of the window.

"Ah!"

Gu Yanxi turned around, his mask revealing his identity.

The two palace maids trembled and immediately knelt down upon recognizing him.

To avoid alerting anyone, Gu Yanxi gestured to Chen Qing who had rushed in. Chen Qing understood and swiftly struck the necks of the two maids with a hand chop, causing them to faint without making a sound. Two people came in from outside and carried the maids away.

"Immediately have people watch Tong Family and the Second Prince's residence, no one in or out, tight security inside Lan Zhi Hall, one department will assist my operation." Gu Yanxi looked towards the window, "There's an insider in the palace, root them out."

Following the Shizi's gaze, Chen Qing understood where to start. He responded solemnly, "Is there anyone reliable in Lan Zhi Hall?"

"The Second Prince has one of Quqi's men."

"Have him find a way to bring Lai Fu out, remember, don't alert anyone."

"Yes."

Stepping out of the side hall, even standing in the sunlight, Gu Yanxi felt a chill on his back. This was the imperial palace, the heart of Daqing Dynasty, and now someone had a grip on the heart without him knowing. He even began to doubt if the matter regarding the First Prince Gu Chengde was as simple as it seemed.

"Sir," Lai Fu greeted from a distance, with an air of casualness as if it was a chance encounter.

"Has the Emperor had his meal?"

"He's currently eating. Sir, do you have any business?"

"Yes, please inform His Majesty that I have important matters to report to him."

Lai Fu, a shrewd person in the palace, immediately understood that the Shizi's report was not the main purpose; the emphasis was on the word 'important'. The Emperor usually did not handle matters in the harem, let alone discuss important matters with the consorts.

The Shizi intended to lure the Emperor away!

Lai Fu gasped, could it be that the Second Prince planned harm to the Emperor? He clenched his fist tightly, "I will go report to His Majesty immediately."

In the hall, the Concubine Hui sat on the Emperor's left, and Tong Yi sat on his right. The Concubine Hui was serving the Emperor dishes, but the Emperor took a bite and fed Tong Yi with his chopsticks.

The Concubine Hui's hand holding the chopsticks visibly strained, and she took a few deep breaths to suppress the sourness in her heart.

Seeing this scene, Lai Fu's heart skipped a beat. He hurried forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Seven Stars Bureau have urgent matters to report."

The Emperor parted his heavy-lidded eyes with a languid, deliberate air, his gaze laced with an almost sinful satisfaction. He leaned forward to take another bite, then paused to press it gently to Tong Yi's reluctant lips, feeding her like a predator savoring its catch.

Tong Yi’s lips pursed in a subtle rebellion, but under his unwavering gaze, she begrudgingly parted them, accepting the morsel. Her eyes glistened with a quiet storm of grievances, their unspoken accusations hanging in the air like a teasing thread.

Amusement flickered in the Emperor’s eyes, sharp and knowing. He savored her obedience tinged with rebellion, the delicate play of emotions flitting across her face—a portrait of reluctant submission. “What’s the rush?” he murmured, the words laced with a casual dominance. “Let him handle it.”

This was no ordinary matter. Lai Fu, acutely aware of the risks of crossing the line, bowed low and retreated, his steps careful and precise as he relayed the imperial decree to the Shizi.

“The Emperor’s command is clear,” Lai Fu relayed, his voice steady despite the weight of the message.

Gu Yanxi, sharp as the edge of his blade, smirked faintly as he heard the exchange. “I cannot shoulder such a burden. Let the Emperor decide himself,” he quipped, his tone cold yet edged with challenge.

Lai Fu dutifully returned the message, but the Emperor dismissed it with a quiet laugh, his tone almost mocking. “Oh, I trust him well enough. Let him deal with it.”

Before Lai Fu could return, Gu Yanxi caught the tail end of the Emperor’s order. His keen eyes flicked to Quqi, who appeared at his side, speaking in hushed tones. “Leader, everything is in place.”

Gu Yanxi’s lips curled into a faint, predatory smile. He adjusted his cloak with practiced ease, his movements deliberate as he cast a glance at the sun hidden behind brooding clouds. Without a word, he strode toward Lan Zhi Hall, his every step resonating with purpose, promise of the storm yet to come.